Summer 2014: Week 5

This week was a blur . . . putting together final details for Nathan's family reunion.

26 people.
One big house.
Lots of fun.

Nathan and I worked to prep lots of the food. We cooked Carnitas (remember how last time we suggested having parts catered or purchased?)
and grilled chicken. LOTS OF IT. Formed 36 turkey burger sliders.
Questioned why we didn't delegate more.
Remembered it's cause we like the details to be ours.

Nathan took scouts cycling and Bryn had a church activity cooking.
(There are differences between men and women).

I shopped for all the last minute things:
Simple dawn
Hair ties
Adam's peanut butter
and knitted while sitting in the orthodontist's office.

Remembered that last week I wrote a poem (which is dedicated to Caitlin):

Hustle your bustle,
Or my muscle
Will
Hustle your bustle.

This week I bought Andrew a shirt from the men's department at Target. It fits!
I predict that in a year he'll be taller than me. Not ready for that, but it's coming.

Nathan had Wednesday off. We tried to get out early, but ended up leaving just before noon. We hadn't really packed, and that can slow you down.

We drove across WY and watched "How to Train Your Dragon."  We have two secret with movies in the car.
#1 Redbox
#2 We save them for the late afternoon before dinner when everyone's a little cranky about having been in the car so long.

We stopped in Kemmerer, WY, which does not have a lot of options, but enough. We chose a local diner, Adimiah's, and should have all eaten Mexican food, because it was obvious our server's native language was not English. We didn't, but it was great food. We got to Bear Lake around 7pm, which was early enough to drive up the hill to check out our cabin and get one shake so we could see which size was best.

7:00 PM, Weds

 I really love Bear Lake. It's so big and changes colors throughout the day.
We drove to Logan and got to our hotel late. Fell asleep even later.
 The next morning we found this hiding behind the blackout curtains.

 And this on the bed. It was the only moment in the hotel room he sat still.

 My mom's sister lives outside of Logan, so we went to visit. It happened to be time for the fresh peas, so we ate several handfuls. So good. Wished you were there, Mom.

 My uncle's hobby is precious stones. He had the girls pan for some--which they found and brought home. They were in heaven. When we left, Caitlin asked, "Mom, can I be his apprentice?"

 While they looked for rocks, I had my aunt take me to my grandparents' grave site. Sure love them.

 When we stopped at Aggie Ice Cream, we were not surprised at all to run into two of Nathan's brothers--getting ice cream before lunch. It was a treat to meet up with them.

The rest of week 5 is in the next post--about the reunion.
One of our friends in the ward has 8 children and they had a reunion here. So we let one of their daughters' families stay at our house. In exchange, they watered our garden for us. So great.


Week 5 down, 6 to go.

Navy Pier: Chicago 2013

There were a few (hundred) things on my to-do list when I thought about where I wanted to go in Chicago. Our pace as a family doing anything isn't very fast, so I had to pick carefully. One thing I'd always wanted to do was go on the Ferris wheel at Navy Pier. Overpriced and totally touristy--I still wanted to do it.

We arrived at Navy Pier at 4:00 pm and went straight for the wheel. The line was short. The worst part is that we had to take 2 cars-- a strict 6 person limit.

Dad took the boys

Mom with the girls (and the camera)

I don't really like heights. My palms were sweaty & my heart beating faster than normal. Worth it for the view!

Because the ticket guy convinced us to get a better price per ticket if we bought more, we had to go on two more rides. I took the littles here

And Nathan took the ones who were over 48 inches here

We went back inside for dinner and our timing was great, because it dumped rain for 15 minutes.

We took our time getting out of the city driving up Lakeshore Drive back to Skokie, to visit a neighbor.

How we love thee--Lakeshore Drive!

After our visit, we drove to a different friend's home to stay the night. She offered, so we jumped. One more sightseeing day in Chicago--one more post.

A walk in the Cleveland woods: Chicago 2013

My brother lives in Cleveland, which is only a short drive if you are already in Chicago. One of our goals is to have our children see their cousins in their homes, so we decided to make the trip, even though it would be short. When we left Neuffers Tuesday morning, we started our drive to Cleveland. There was a LOT of rain that day (and flooding--but it didn't affect our travel). There was water almost the whole way, lightning, and tons of road construction. Not the fastest anyone's ever made that trip for sure.

Sarah coaches Emily's softball team and we were hoping to watch their game. It was cancelled due to weather, which ended up being a good call, even though we were disappointed. We walked to their neighborhood park but had to run home as the next shower started. We enjoyed an impromptu "Music Night" by my brother. He invited everyone who had musical talent to share it, even though we are amateurs in his presence. He went from one instrument to the next, and at one point he played guitar & harmonica at the same time. He is amazing--the real one man band. He made us a CD of songs he's working on and we listened to it twice on the way back to Chicago. The quality of this video is actually awful. If you want to hear it, it's me on the piano, Danny on the string bass, Bryn & Emily singing.

It was pretty late when we all fell asleep, but Danny had the day off work, so we didn't have to move early.

In the morning we planned two things: a walk in the woods and a trip to the swimming pool. I only brought my camera to one . . . .
The woods were a short drive from their home. Completely shaded, so lush and green--that's what all the Tuesday rain did.

We debated swimming in Lake Erie since we could, but decided against it because of the storms all day just the day before. Their neighborhood pool is great, though. They have a waterslide and diving boards (features ours doesn't), and I used both of them. I'm pretty sure it's been 20 + years since I've done either one. Great fun.

Sarah made dinner for the kids and then the adults went out to MELT, which is not far from their home.
The wait was SUPER long, but it was great food. I've never had celery on a sandwich before, but I liked it!!!
When we planned it, we knew it would be a short time. It was worth it, though. Their family usually visits the west in the summer but are not planning to this year, so it was nice to see them. We left early the next morning.
Thanks, Parks fam!

Returning to Chicago

Was very emotional for me . . . .
I went back once a few years ago alone for a special occasion, but this was the first time we traveled there as a family.
To me--Chicago represents a period of rapid growth in our lives.
We went as 3 and left as 6. That little fact alone represents a lot.
We went with no student loan debt, and left with loads.
We went with bachelor's degrees and came out with a career.
We went knowing no one, and left with friends who are like family.

The last 2 years we were there, Nathan's brother, his wife, and family moved there for a 2 year graduate school program. It was so nice to share that time with them.

So, Chicago will always have our hearts. As a girl, I wanted to live in Boston. Instead, the Lord gave me Chicago, and I'm glad he did.

My next few posts will detail a portion of our adventures this summer, 2013.

I loved going back and think we will for many years to come.

1000 miles with my kids

We returned from an 8 day trip on Saturday night.
Nathan had an oral board exam in Chicago. For months, I went back and forth about whether or not the kids and I would join him. My mom was not up for grandchildren watching this time around . . . she would have but the timing wasn't right.
So Nathan flew and the rest of us drove the next day.
I didn't like telling anyone (except friends from Chicago who do this drive annually by themselves) because I got all kinds of negative feedback:
"You are doing what?"
"With all your kids and not other driver?"
"You should really take someone else with you."

I was going to order AAA, but then I realized my auto insurance had a similar program, but even better b/c you only pay for it if you use it. Armed with that phone number, I knew we could do it.

Not sure who took this photo, my guess is Bryn . . . . note how calm and relaxed I look

My kids rose to the occasion. They entertained Eddie, helped me with navigation, $ for the toll roads, distributing food for lunch. They were super helpful.
I was very happy to see Nathan when we met up, and I let him drive a lot after that, but it was a big success for me to do something so far out of my comfort zone.

YEAH for long road trips!!!!

I have lots more to say about going back to Chicago and 198 photos . . . . but that will wait for another day.

Moab (Part 2)

The next day of our vacation was Sunday.
Kerri had 9 am church, so we met here there.

We found out that Bishop Gerald Causse from the Presiding Bishopric was visiting that ward as well.

It was Fast Sunday and he stood up near the middle of the meeting to bear his testimony. He explained that Arches National Park is one of his favorite places to take visitors when they come from France. If you call me, I will tell you what he said about Thomas S. Monson. We also saw Georgia Lambson, (for you Chicago readers), who was visiting from Salt Lake City with her daughter &; family. Kerri taught sharing time, too.

After church we ate a relatively quick lunch at Kerri's and went off to explore a little more of Moab. We drove next to the Colorado River to Wall Street, pictured below.

Wall Street, outside Moab, UT

It seemed like a mile of cliffs. There were many cars pulled over for rock climbing. I wished my brother, Danny could have seen it. I think he would love it.

Note the petroglyphs near bottom right

Across the street from Wall Street: The Colorado River

We piled back in the car for a short ride to the Corona Arch trailhead. This arch is famous for having an airplane fly through it, as seen below.

This was an easier hike than the previous day.

Bow Tie Arch, next to Corona

 The last part of this hike is pretty sloped. I was afraid of falling, and of Ed falling. I didn't and he didn't.

We made it to Corona Arch. Yes, that is a man hanging from a rope, from the arch. Taken with my camera.

A group of 3 men were at the arch for the better part of the day, planning their jump, or swing. About 10 days prior to our visit, some other "swingers" (jumping and swinging from the arch), had unsuccessfully attempted to do what these guys were doing. These guys were well prepared and thoughtfully sent a bag down over, to make sure the rope was the right length, and took their time setting it up right. We watched the first and second jumpers went off, but left before the third.

We headed back to Kerri's house for dinner, which was pulled pork I had frozen the week before. It was an easy meal, delightful after a hot afternoon of hiking.

Monday morning we ate breakfast with Kerri one more time. We drove to the freeway on Highway 128, which I think Kerri called River Road. It is the scenic route and did not disappoint. It made us want our next Moab adventure to include water.

Shortly after getting on I-70 to come back, we found out that parts of it were closed, due to snowfall and avalanche conditions. We went through the snowstorm by another route home. (Read between the lines, even windier mountain road under heavy snow conditions, but without avalanche thread).
We began at 9 am and ended at 10 pm, much longer than planned. Our car did not slide once, except right after we got off the freeway at an exit about 3 miles from our home. Our kids dealt with the added stress remarkably well, not even complaining when we had to eat sandwiches one more time for dinner, when they'd been promised a restaurant.

Did I show you our "new to us" picnic table? This was what waited for us Tuesday morning.

I think when I checked the weather, I only checked Moab weather, and not the weather on our route home. We had warm clothes, but not winter clothes, and I felt unprepared and mad at myself for a long while. I will check our route weather more carefully, now that I am well aware of how drastically it can change. We needed the snow, so can't complain.

We had a delightful first trip to Moab. We saw why Kerri loves it, got out of our comfort zone in many ways, and enjoyed being together as a family. I highly recommend it--especially if you are connected to Kerri. She was a great hostess.

Moab (Part 1 of 2)

During Mid-April our kids had a Friday and Monday scheduled off. We decided to use it as vacation and stay home for Spring Break. (My sister in law once wrote a vacation recap with Do's and Don'ts, here's copying you, Tara).

DO:  Get started a little later than you want (I was finishing my taxes and packing for 7!!!). Are we the only ones this happens to?
It was OK, we got to Moab at about 6 p.m.
DO: Take a photo before you leave the garage. This is not going to add time to the trip, and when you get back, you aren't going to want one.

DO: Take pictures from the front seat on your drive. Especially when you drive through a mountain in a tunnel, the Eisenhower.

Somewhere in CO on I-70 in the mountains. At the end of the day it's not going to look like this.

DO: Watch something on the drive--this time we chose Prince Caspian. (We always watch movies during my shift of driving, because I would rather listen to a movie than watch it anyway).

DO: Call the best Tour Guide in Moab. Kerri Fife. We met Kerri, Nathan's cousin, for dinner at a mexican restaurant when we arrived. The restaurant was not crowded.

DO: Get the motel with 3 Queen beds. The Rodeway. It also has a nice pool with a fun waterslide.

DON'T believe them when they tell you there's a roll away. Just rotate nights on who has to use the floor.

DON'T believe the "heated pool" information. The hot tub was where it's at. (In April anyway).

DO: Plan on buying breakfast. We found out our motel wasn't going to feed us breakfast, (like I thought they were), so Kerri took me to the grocery store while Nathan and the kids jumped in the pool.
Saturday morning we drove into Arches National Park.

DO: Stop at Balanced Rock for photos.

Balancing at Balanced Rock

Of the 20+ Fife cousins, Kerri is close to our age . . . . a few months older and wiser

Christmas card worthy?

DO: Hike to Delicate arch. It is the arch displayed on the UT license plate. It is steep, 480 vertical feet up, but manageable. It was pleasant going, until the top when the wind was whipping sand into our eyes. We took one fast picture at the top, someone lost a hat to the wind, and we quickly went back around the corner to get out of the blast. Our kids were troopers and I would like to do it again.

DON'T go if it's windy at the top. How to know if it will be windy at the top? Not sure, but I am willing to give it one more shot.

Guess who's hat got away? Ed buried his face in Nathan's shoulder for 45 minutes.

DO plan on lots of other hikers.

DO: Take your lunch. We ate when we got back to the car. Hiking time, 2.5 hours or so for our family.
DO: See the Windows section: 3 arches very close to the road.

That's Bryn & Andrew, to give you an idea of the scale.

 

The kids, Nathan and Kerri climbed up to the top of those coves and got some great pictures. I rested my knee that reminded me I haven't been hiking in awhile.

View from the top of the cove

DO stop at the visitor's center. Watch the movie about how the arches form.
You may or may not want to sit on the animals placed at the entrance. If you sit on them, DO take a picture.

DO order Pizza Hut from driving back to Moab so it will be ready when you arrive.
(Supreme with Pan crust, if you are asking).

DO agree to go way out of your comfort zone and do something crazy.

We chose a hummer tour to Hell's Revenge Trail. I thought I was going to DIE the entire time. I kept hoping we would drive back the easy way, but instead we went back exactly the way we'd come in. Kerri kept assuring me that the people who come into the hospital from off-roading accidents are the civilians who try driving off road, not the professional drivers. I believed her.
DO: Watch this video from You Tube if you want to see why I thought I would die.
DON'T: Go in a Crown Victoria.
DO: Go down this rock.

Someone else on the rock. We went earlier, but no picture.

DON'T: Expect all 4 wheels to be touching at the same time.

DO: Ask to see Mickey's Hot Tub.

DON'T: Attempt it in your vehicle.

DO: Ask for Levi. He said, "This is my backyard." And it is, and he was a great driver.

This is a guy thing.

DO treat your family to ice cream. After living through the hummer tour, I felt it necessary. We had shakes at Milts. We arrived right before closing and made them work a little bit longer.

DON'T order regular size shakes--choose small instead. Just trust me.

(To be continued).